Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Satellite Communication Technology Development

by: Jeremy Maddock

Satellites have been orbiting the earth for several decades now, and are constantly contributing to the evolution of global communication.

Satellite cell phones have made it possible for people to make phone calls from anywhere in the world, no matter how remote their location, and have been extremely useful in coordination of many activities ranging from scientific exploration to military operations.

Portable satellite radio is another important technology that has emerged in recent years, allowing users to subscribe to and access radio channels from around the world for either entertainment or informational purposes.

One small problem with satellite communication technology, however, is the sheer distance involved in communicating with orbiting satellites, which can cause a slight delay in transmission time. This, of course, is of no consequence to satellite radio, but it can be a slight problem for two-way communication services such as broadband and phone.

The only way to reduce the time delay involved in satellite transmission is to use lower orbits for satellites, thus reducing the distance involved in transmission. Lower orbits are already being used for some purposes, but there are many challenges that must be overcome in order to make such a transition.

Advancements in satellite technology have been plentiful in the past few years, and more are expected in the future. It will be very interesting to watch the development of this evolving technology over the coming years and beyond.